SRO Motorsports Group (SRO), promoters of the new FIA GT1 World Championship and Blancpain watches today announced that they had reached an agreement which will see the prestigious Swiss watch brand become the exclusive and Official Timing Partner for the new FIA GT1 World Championship.

The agreement will see the Blancpain brand receive live exposure on all live feeds including on TV feeds around the world. Blancpain will also receive track-side exposure at all rounds of the new world championship. The agreement marks the first time in Blancpain's 275 year history that the brand has an official association with a world class motorsport event. To celebrate the agreement, the world oldest watchmaker will design and create a limited edition timepiece dedicated to mechanical passion.

The FIA GT1 World Championship will visit 10 countries on four continents and will feature iconic marques such as Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini, Maserati and Nissan.

The 2010 Championship starts at the futuristic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on April 17 and ends at the spectacular circuit built around a volcanic lake in San Luis circuit in Argentina on December 5.

CEO of SRO, Stephane Ratel said: “We are very happy to welcome Blancpain to the FIA GT1 World Championship fold. They are a perfect strategic fit with their emphasis on hand-crafted quality, stunning design and accuracy. For a brand new world championship we are naturally thrilled that a brand that enjoys a 275 year history will join with us as we set out on what we are all sure will be a hugely exciting first season of racing and a fantastic journey beyond that.”

CEO of Blancpain, Marc A. Hayek adds: “Blancpain has always had an absolute commitment to quality and as a company we can see that this new challenge as a fantastic opportunity to take our core messages to a world-wide public who are also passionate about quality. When you see the line-up of cars in the paddock, everything about it says quality. It is an environment that suits Blancpain down to the ground; great design, quality, tradition, speed, passion, accuracy and pushing forwards to new frontiers. We are very happy to be here.”